Synthesis, structural studies, theoretical calculations, and linear and nonlinear optical properties of terpyridyl lanthanide complexes: new evidence for the contribution of f electrons to the NLO activity

The synthesis and structural, photophysical, and second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of a novel lanthanide terpyridyl-like complex family LLn(NO(3))(3) (Ln = La, Gd, Dy, Yb, and Y) are reported. The isostructural character of this series in solution and in the solid state has been established on the basis of X-ray diffraction analysis in the cases of yttrium and gadolinium complexes, theoretical optimization of geometry (DFT), and NMR spectroscopy. The absorption, emission, and solvatochromic properties of the free terpyridyl-like ligand L were thoroughly investigated, and the twist intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) character of the lowest energy transition was confirmed by theoretical calculation (TDDFT and CIS). The similar ionochromic effect of the different lanthanide ions was evidenced by the similar UV-visible spectra of the complete family of complexes. On the other hand, the quadratic hyperpolarizability coefficient beta, measured by the harmonic light scattering (HLS) technique, is clearly dependent on the nature of the metal, and a careful examination of the particular case of yttrium unambiguously confirms the contribution of metal f electrons to the NLO activity.     

Eigenvalue problem for a coupled channel Schrödinger equation with application to the description of deformed nuclear systems

We discuss the accurate computation of the eigensolutions of systems of coupled channel Schrödinger equations as they appear in studies of real physical phenomena like fission, alpha decay and proton emission. A specific technique is used to compute the solution near the singularity in the origin, while on the rest of the interval the solution is propagated using a piecewise perturbation method. Such a piecewise perturbation method allows us to take large steps even for high energy-values. We consider systems with a deformed potential leading to an eigenvalue problem where the energies are given and the required eigenvalue is related to the adjustment of the potential, viz, the eigenvalue is the depth of the nuclear potential. A shooting technique is presented to determine this eigenvalue accurately.     

Threshold received sound pressure levels of single 1-2 kHz and 6-7 kHz up-sweeps and down-sweeps causing startle responses in a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

Mid-frequency and low-frequency sonar systems produce frequency-modulated sweeps which may affect harbor porpoises. To study the effect of sweeps on behavioral responses (specifically "startle" responses, which we define as sudden changes in swimming speed and/or direction), a harbor porpoise in a large pool was exposed to three pairs of sweeps: a 1-2 kHz up-sweep was compared with a 2-1 kHz down-sweep, both with and without harmonics, and a 6-7 kHz up-sweep was compared with a 7-6 kHz down-sweep without harmonics. Sweeps were presented at five spatially averaged received levels (mRLs; 6 dB steps; identical for the up-sweep and down-sweep of each pair). During sweep presentation, startle responses were recorded. There was no difference in the mRLs causing startle responses for up-sweeps and down-sweeps within frequency pairs. For 1-2 kHz sweeps without harmonics, a 50% startle response rate occurred at mRLs of 133 dB re 1 μPa; for 1-2 kHz sweeps with strong harmonics at 99 dB re 1 μPa; for 6-7 kHz sweeps without harmonics at 101 dB re 1 μPa. Low-frequency (1-2 kHz) active naval sonar systems without harmonics can therefore operate at higher source levels than mid-frequency (6-7 kHz) active sonar systems without harmonics, with similar startle effects on porpoises.     

Molecular Weight and Long Chain Branch Distributions of Branch‐Block Olefinic Thermoplastic Elastomers

Olefinic thermoplastic elastomers can be prepared by incorporating semi‐crystalline macromonomers (e.g. isotactic or syndiotactic poly(propylene), high‐density polyethylene) onto amorphous backbones (e.g. atactic poly(propylene), ethylene/α‐olefin copolymers). The macromonomer incorporation reaction can be carried out in semi‐batch reactors by adding previously synthesized macromonomers to the reactor (ex situ approach), or by generating and incorporating the macromonomers in a single step (in situ approach). The differences in the microstructure of copolymers synthesized by in situ and ex situ techniques are explored herein through a mathematical model that can predict the concentration of linear and branched chains, their average molecular weights, polydispersity indices, and molecular weight distributions. In both cases linear chains predominate, but the ex situ approach produces a larger amount of branched chains with thermoplastic elastomer properties. Furthermore, for the in situ strategy, a significant amount of branched chains is only formed after the macromonomer concentration reaches a critical value.

Schematic representation of the polymerization mechanism.